Passenger Train Journal
Encyclopedia
Passenger Train Journal is an American
magazine about passenger rail transport
and rail transit
, oriented for railfan
s. Founded in 1968, it was published continuously until 1996, and monthly from 1979 onward, but then ceased publication. After a 10-year absence, it was restarted in 2006 with a different publishing company, as a quarterly magazine. PTJ deals exclusively with passenger rail, not freight. Although focused on North America
, each issue includes at least a small amount of content on overseas—usually European—passenger rail.
in 1987. Publication continued under Interurban Press, and as of 1992 PTJs circulation was about 10,000. In 1993, Interurban Press was acquired by Pentrex
, which continued publishing PTJ until abruptly "suspending" publication at the end of 1996. Pentrex never revived the magazine, and indeed in 1999 ceased publishing all of its other magazines as well.
In 2006, Passenger Train Journal was resurrected by Kevin EuDaly of White River Productions, as a quarterly magazine. Appointed to the position of Editor
was Mike Schafer, who had been one of the magazine's past editors, from 1983 until 1990. The first issue published by White River Productions was No. 229, Fourth Quarter 2006. Currently, each issue has 48 pages.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
magazine about passenger rail transport
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
and rail transit
Urban rail transit
Urban rail transit is an all-encompassing term for various types of local rail systems providing passenger service within and around urban or suburban areas...
, oriented for railfan
Railfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
s. Founded in 1968, it was published continuously until 1996, and monthly from 1979 onward, but then ceased publication. After a 10-year absence, it was restarted in 2006 with a different publishing company, as a quarterly magazine. PTJ deals exclusively with passenger rail, not freight. Although focused on North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, each issue includes at least a small amount of content on overseas—usually European—passenger rail.
History
Passenger Train Journal was founded in 1968 by Kevin McKinney, who established the PTJ Publishing Company for the purpose. The magazine originally was issued quarterly, becoming bimonthly in fall 1975 and monthly starting in March 1979. McKinney remained its publisher and owner until selling the magazine to Interurban PressInterurban Press
Interurban Press was a small, privately owned American publishing company, specializing in books about streetcars, other forms of rail transit and railroads in North America, from 1943 until 1993. It was based in the Los Angeles area, and specifically in Glendale, California after 1976...
in 1987. Publication continued under Interurban Press, and as of 1992 PTJs circulation was about 10,000. In 1993, Interurban Press was acquired by Pentrex
Pentrex
Pentrex Media Group, LLC, is an American producer and seller of railfan-related videos and DVDs, founded in 1984 and currently based in Pasadena, California. The company discontinued the sale of VHS video tapes on July 31, 2009....
, which continued publishing PTJ until abruptly "suspending" publication at the end of 1996. Pentrex never revived the magazine, and indeed in 1999 ceased publishing all of its other magazines as well.
In 2006, Passenger Train Journal was resurrected by Kevin EuDaly of White River Productions, as a quarterly magazine. Appointed to the position of Editor
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
was Mike Schafer, who had been one of the magazine's past editors, from 1983 until 1990. The first issue published by White River Productions was No. 229, Fourth Quarter 2006. Currently, each issue has 48 pages.